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DeGette: American Hope Act Would Protect DACA Beneficiaries, Provide Opportunities to Other Young People

Jul 28, 2017

Press Release

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip, is an original cosponsor of the American Hope Act introduced today, which would let DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) beneficiaries and other immigrant youth apply for conditional permanent resident status, providing a pathway to citizenship. The bill will also improve college affordability for undocumented youth and other immigrants by repealing rules that limit their access to in-state tuition and other college benefits.

Last month, the Trump administration reversed DAPA, another deferred-action program, created for parents of American-born citizens in 2014. Top Republican officials in 10 states have threatened Attorney General Jeff Sessions with legal action if the Administration does not end the DACA program as well by September 5th. In the face of this threat, it is expected that the administration will either end the program or refuse to defend it once that lawsuit is launched.

The American Hope Act offers a broad safety net for all people who would lose the rights conferred by DACA. It also provides a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and all undocumented residents brought to America as children who stay out of legal trouble and pass a background check

“With the recent barrage of attacks on DACA by the Trump administration and Republican leaders across the country, it’s more important than ever to send a message of support and compassion for young undocumented residents, which is why I am honored to co-sponsor this bill,“ DeGette said. “If the administration lets the program expire, hundreds of thousands of young people, many of them in Colorado, will once again have to live in fear of deportation. The American Hope Act not only clears the barriers to citizenship for these DACA recipients, it also presents an important opportunity to all undocumented residents who came here at a young age and are contributing to their communities. They are vital to our country and deserve the chance to become citizens. It’s that simple.”